With all 32 precincts reporting, the proposal passed with a 53.90% margin, receiving 5,492 votes for yes. There were 1,645 no votes, for 23.05% percent of the vote.

The 0.2972-mill tax, which expires at the end of 2014, currently generates funding that can solely be used to purchase properties the city wants for preserving wildlife habitats; protecting woodlands, wetlands, rivers and streams; as well as expand the Clinton River Greenway.

The approved charter amendment allows the city to use the millage monies to adequately maintain the land, protect it from invasive species and improve pedestrian access.

The city has acquired four lands with funds from the millage, which generates an estimated $1 million annually, and maintains a current balance of roughly $6 million.

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Voters also elected candidates to fill two of Rochester Hill’s four City Council districts, one at-large seat, as well as two open seats on the Rochester Public Library board.

Lauth, who announced in September he was removing himself from the campaign for personal reasons and would no longer actively pursue the race, received 1,358 votes for 23.82% of the total cast.

Two candidates mounted write-in campaigns for the uncontested district races, but both failed to garner enough support.

Steph Morita, 43, attorney at Johnson, Rosati, Schultz & Joppich PC, beat write-in candidate Dee Hilbert for the open District 1 seat. Hilbert announced her intention to run as a write-in last month.

Morita won by a rougly 71.5% margin over write-in votes likely cast for Hilbert, which accounted for 14.21 percent of the total.

Thomas Wiggins, 47, financial advisor at Rehman, defeated write-in candidate Lisa Winarski in the District 4 race by a roughly 64% margin. He currently serves on Rochester Hills’ Police and Road Funding Committee and Economic Development Corporation.

About 260 write-in votes likely cast for Winarski accounted for 14.21% of the total in the contest.

Initially, Winarski was on the ballot for the District 4 race, but her name was removed after the city ruled she was not eligible due to being in arrears on a water bill.

Incumbent District 4 Councilman Nathan Klomp, 37, did not seek for re-election.

Robert Bonam and Anne Kucher also won seats on the Rochester Hills Public Library in an uncontested race.

Council members are elected to four-year terms; Rochester Hills Public Library board members are elected to six-year terms.

About the Author

Ryan Felton is a staff writer at The Oakland Press who covers Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, transportation and technology. Blogging about Detroit at detroit.jalopnik.com. Reach the author at ryan.felton@oakpress.com
or follow Ryan on Twitter: @ryanfelton13.